NY hospitals to study C. diff-killing method

Rochester General, Strong Memorial, Highland and Unity hospitals will participate in a two-year study to see whether ultraviolet light adds to the effectiveness of current ways to kill Clostridium difficile. The bacterium, linked to 14,000 deaths nationwide each year, can add thousands of dollars in hospital costs. Because C. diff can live for months and is protected by a hard shell, it is a vexing foe.